Bow rest and clamping device



H. B. WHITE.

BOW REST AND CLAMPING DEVIGEv APPLICATION 'mso FEE. IS. 1911.

Patented June 14, 1921.

2 SHEEIS-SHEET 1.

umrso STATES PATENT orFicE.

HARRY 33. WHITE, or, CANTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, ToAUTO SPECIALTIES MANUFACTURING 00., or SAN rnnncrsoo, CALIFORNIA, A.Conro- RATION OF CALIFORNIA.

BOW BEST AND CLAMPING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patent d J 14 192 Application filedFebruary 15, 1917. Serial No. 148,754.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY B. WVHITE, acitizen of the United States, residing at Canton, in the county of Starkand State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Bow Best and ClampingDevice, of which the following .is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to bowsupporting and clamping devicesadapted for use in connection with vehicle tops, and especiallyautomobile tops.

The primary object of the invention is t provide a device of thecharacter indicated which is of such construction and operation as toenable the top-bows to be readily entered in the device in the operationof clashing the top, but which is nevertheless capable of clamping thebows with facility and security, rattling of the top and of the parts ofthe device itself being wholly obviated.

A further object is to provide a device of the character indicated withimproved body-attaching means, whereby the device maybe attached withgreat facility and the utmost security to an auto-mobile body.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, I employ a fixed, orbody-attached, vertical stock having its upper end equipped at its rearside with a recessed resilient bearing; a bow-clamping member having itslower end pivotally connected with the lower end of said stock; and aclamping lever pivotally connected with the upper end portion of saidhow clamping memberand equipped with a stock-engaging member, preferablya link, adapted to engage said bearing.

Thus, when the devices on opposite sides of the automobile body areopen, the bows of the top may be lowered into them, the upper ends ofthe fixed stocks being free from obstrliction, so that-the bows willslip freely into the spaces provided for them;

The invention is illustrated, in its pre ferred embodiment, in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figurel is an elevational view (partlyin section) of a bow rest and clamping device embodying the invention,the device being shown in the clamping position.

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device showing the same in the openedposition.

Fig. f is a section on the line 4- Fig, 1,

Fig. 5 is a detail attaching stud.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawings.

Referring more especially to the construction illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the fixed stock which ispreferably channel shaped in cross section, although any other suitabledesign of stock may be used, said stock being provided with an attachingsocket 2 arranged to receive the extremity of the usual drop iron orbracket 3, which is provided upon the side of the vehicle body, a stud 4being located through the channel 5, which coriperspective view of the-nects'with the under side ofthe socket 2,

and is located transversely thereto, said stud being provided with theinclined upper surface 6 arranged to engage the under face of thebracket or drop iron 3. A reduced screw threaded extremity 7 'isprovided upon the stud '6, a washer 8 being located over said reducedextremity and a nut 9 engaged thereon to draw the stud tightly intoengagement with the bracketor drop iron in order to retain the stockthereon.

The lower extremity of the stock 1 is curved as shown at 10 and an ear11 is formed thereon for the purpose of connect ing the hinged clampingarm 12, which is provided with a pair of spaced cars 13, a pin '14:passing through said ears and through the car 11 forming a hinged connection between the stockand the clamping arm.

The clamping arm is preferably cast in any suitable cross section and isprovided with the upper and lower bow engaging projections 15 and 16,respectively, a rest 17 being formed upon the lower extremity of saidclamping arm for the purpose of receiving the lowermost bow. The uppereX- tremity of the clamping arm is turned inwardly as shown at 18 andprovided with a reduced projection 19 arranged to enter the aperture 20formed through the wall of the stock 1, a pad 21 of leather, rubber orother suitable material being provided along the inner face of theclamping arm to prevent marring or scratching the bows by contacttherewith. H

A spring 22, preferably formed of heavy wire, s carried in theupper'portion of the being held rigidly in place within said socket. Theupper extremity of the spring above theweb 24 is free and terminatesbeneath the upper web 27 formed upon the stock, notches 28 being formedin the side flanges of the channel shaped stock adjacent the upperextremity of the spring.

The operating lever 29 is pivoted, by means of a pin 30, to an car 31formed upon the upper edge of the inturned portion 13 of the clampingarm, thus pivotally connecting said lever to the upper extremity of theclamping arm. A link 32 preferably cast and comprising the curved. arms33 and the connecting bar 3 1 as shown in the drawings is pivotallyconnected near to the upper extremity of the lever 29 at a pointadjacent the pivotal point of said lever by means I of a pin 35 or itsequivalent. When it is desired to clamp the bows within the device theclamping arm 12 is moved into the open position as shown in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings. The bows are then lowered in the usual manner, thelowermost bow resting upon the rest member 17 and the clamping arm isthen moved toward the fixed stock 1, the projection 19 upon saidclamping arm being re ceived within the aperture 20 in the fixed stock,guiding the upper end of the clamping arm and limiting the clampingmovement thereof. The tie bar 34 of the link is received within thenotches 28 of the stock and the lever 29 is moved into the clampingposition shown in Fig. 1, the link 32 being opposed by the spring 22 asthe clamping .lever is moved into the clamped position affording a firmand positive clamping action and preventing any rattling of the devicewhen clamped. The upper and lower projections 15 and 16 engage the.upper and lower bows respectively as the clamping action takes place.

It will be understood from Fig. 3 that the upper end portion of thestock 1 is free from projecting movable parts, so that the bows of thetop will, when the top is being clashed, slip freely down into the spacebetween the stock 1 and the bow-clamping member 12. The recess 28 andthe spring 22 afford, in effect, a resilient bearing which is open atthe rear side, that is'at the side which is next to the automobile body.Thus,

the bearing for the portion 3 1 of the stockengaging member 33 willyield, as shown in Fig. 1, when the lever 29 is thrown to the clampingor pressureapplying position. This arrangement eifectively prevents thepossibility of rattling, and the projection above the recess 28 preventsthe possibility of the link 33 becoming disengaged from its bearing. Bypreference, the recess is provided in the stock, instead of in thespring, as it is thus easier to give greater prominence to theprojection above the recess, thereby adding to the security.

Tn constructions now in use, it is common to mount upon the upper end ofthe fixed stock clamping lever for securing the bowclamping member inthe closed position. In

such constructions, the movable securing member interferes with thepassage of the upper end of the stock inside of the bows of the top,this difiiculty being enhanced by the cover or fabric attached to thebows. The improved construction obviates this difficulty, and at thesame time provides ade quately to prevent rattling either of the bows orof the parts of the bow-supporting and clamping device. Although thedrawings and above specification disclose the best mode in which I havecontemplated embodying my invention I desire to be not limited to thedetails of such disclosure, for, in the further practical application ofmy invention, many changes in the form and construction may be made, ascircumstances require or experience suggests, without departing from thespirit of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim j 1. A device of the character described, comprising a stockarranged to be attached to a vehicle body, a spring located near oneextremity of said stock, an arm hinged to the other extremity of saidstock, a clamping lever pivotally mounted upon the free end of said arm,a spacing member carried by the upper extremity of said arm and arranged to engage said stockand a link carried by said lever and arrangedto engage the spring upon said stock, said lever and link arranged todraw said arm toward said stock to clamp the bows of atop therebetween.

2. A device of the character described comprising a stock arranged to beattached to a vehicle body, the upper extremity of said stock being ofchannel form and pro-' vided with a transversely disposed notch, aspring carried within said upper end of the stock, an arm hinged to thelower extremity of the stock, a spacing member carried by the freeextremity of said arm and arranged to engage said stock, aclamping'lever pivotally mounted upon the free extremity of said'arm'and a link carried by said lever and arranged to engage the notch insaid stock and contact with said spring, said lever and link arranged todraw said arm toward said stock to clamp the bows of a toptherebetween.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stockequipped with means for attaching it to a vehicle body, and providedwith a transverse notch near one extremity, a spring mounted upon saidstock adjacent said notch, a clamping arm hinged to the other extremityof the stock, an inturned portion provided upon the free end of saidclamping arm and arranged to contact with the stock in the clampedposition, a clamping lever pivotally mounted adjacent the free end ofsaid clamping arm and a link carried by said lever and arranged to bereceived within said notch and to contact with said spring, said leverand link arranged to draw said arm toward said stock to clamp the bowsof a top together.

l. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stockequipped with means for attaching it to a vehicle body, and providedwith a transverse notch near one extremity, a spring mounted upon saidstock adjacent said notch, said stock provided with a socket near saidspring, a clamping arm hinged to the other extremity of said stock, aninturned portion provided upon the free end of said clamping arm, aprojection provided upon said inturned portion and arranged to entersaid socket when the parts are in the clamped position, a clamping leverpivotally mounted adjacent the free end of said clamping arm and a linkcarried by said clamping lever and arranged to be received within saidnotch and to. contact with said spring, said lever and link arranged todraw said arm toward said stock to clamp the bows of a top together.

5. In a bow-supporting and clamping device, the combination of avertical stock equipped with body-attaching means and provided at therear side of its upper end with a yielding bearing inclosed within thestock, a bow-clamping member having its lower end pivotally connectedwith the lower end of said stock, and a lever pivotally mounted on theupper end of said howclamping member and equipped with a stock-engagingmember adapted to engage said bearing.

6. In a bow-supporting and clamping device, the combination of avertical stock equipped with body-attaching means and provided at therear side of its upper end with a yielding bearing inclosed within thestock, a bow-clamping member having its lower end pivotally connectedwith the lower end of said stock, a lever pivotally mounted on the upperend of said howclamping member, and a link pivotally connected with saidlever and provided at its free end with a member adapted to engage saidbearing.

7. In a bow-supporting and clamping device, the combination of avertical stock equipped with body-attaching means and provided at itsrear side of its upper end with a yielding bearing, a bow-clampingmember having its lower end pivotally connected with the lower end ofsaid stock, a lever pivotally mounted on the upper end of saidbow-clamping member, and a U- form link having the ends of its armspivotally connected with said lever and its web portion adapted toengage said bearing.

8. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a verticalstock equipped with body-attaching means and provided at the rear sideof its upper end with a bearing having an overhanging projection, aspring substantially inclosed in the stock having its lower end anchoredin said stock and its upper portion crossing the space beneath saidprojection, a clamping member having its lower end pivotally connectedwith the lower end of said stock, a clamping lever having an inturnedend pivotally connected with the upper end portion or" said clampingmember, and a link pivotally connected with an intermediate portion ofsaid lever and having .a portion adapted to embrace the upper end ofsaid stock and engage said spring.

9. In a bow-supporting and clamping device, the combination of avertical stock equipped with body-attaching means and provided at therear side of its upper end with a spring inclosing rearwardly openbearing, a spring in said bearing, a bowclamping member having aninwardly curved lower end pivotally connected with the lower end of saidstock and having an inwardly turned upper end adapted to engage theupper end of said stock, a clamping lever having an inturned upper endpivotally connected with the inturned upper end of said clamping member,and a link pivotally connected with said lever and having a free endportion adapted to embrace the upper end of said stock and engage saidspring bearing.

In testimony that I claim the above, I

have hereunto subscribed my name.

HARRY B. IVHITE.

